Isoform-based brain therapies for Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: Isoform-targeting therapeutic development for the human brain
Funded at Third Element Bio INC. · NIH-11405151 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing look at how researchers aim to precisely target brain RNA variants to help people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Third Element Bio INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2026 |
| Project end | September 16, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $404,652 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AG099790-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405151 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, or those at risk, whose brain tissue or samples could contribute to the isoform database.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific brain-isoform targeting approach.
What this research studies
This project plans to build a brain-wide map of RNA isoforms in people with and without Alzheimer’s disease to find which variants are linked to the disease. Using new long-read sequencing, researchers will identify specific isoforms and design RNA-based therapies that adjust only those variants, aiming for targeted treatment with fewer side effects. The work will involve collaboration with brain tissue data to create a searchable database and test novel therapeutic approaches in early-stage studies. If successful, this could pave the way for personalized therapies that address the disease mechanism at the RNA level.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from therapies that specifically modulate disease-driving RNA isoforms, potentially slowing progression or improving symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous advances in long-read sequencing and RNA therapeutics have shown promise in identifying and targeting disease-associated isoforms, supporting this approach's potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Third Element Bio INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Christine Sara — Third Element Bio INC.
- Study coordinator: Liu, Christine Sara
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.